The Washington Huskies open fall camp Monday with some big questions marks. Here are three position battles Pac-12 fans will probably want to their eye on:
Running back: Jesse Callier vs. Bishop Sankey
In what should be one of the most intense battles in Washington’s camp, Callier and Sankey will compete to replace the departed Chris Polk at running back. Callier has the edge in experience; he’s carried the ball at least 47 times in each of the past two seasons, but Sankey might be slightly more talented. The sophomore carried the ball 28 times last year for 187 yards (6.7 YPC). Although this looks like a two-horse race, don’t be surprised if it turns into a three-horse free-for-all. If healthy, highly touted running back Deontae Cooper could enter the competition. Cooper scored 107 career touchdowns in high school, but thanks to two ACL tears, hasn’t played a down at Washington since enrolling in the winter of 2010.
Backup quarterback: Derrick Brown vs. Jeff Lindquist vs. Cyler Miles
Backup quarterback is an important position, but it's extra important for Washington. Starting QB Keith Price was the poster boy for WebMD last season. Over the course of the year, Price sprained both his knees, his ankle and even suffered a shoulder injury against Oregon. With last year’s backup Nick Montana now at West Virginia Wesleyan, the Huskies will have to turn to Brown, Lindquist or Miles if Price goes down. Brown, a redshirt freshman, was the only one of the three that was in spring practice. Incoming freshmen Miles and Lindquist are both heralded recruits and threats to win the job.
Offensive line: everyone vs. everyone
The Husky O-line is one of the team’s biggest mysteries going into camp. Last year’s starting right guard, Colin Porter, had to retire because of a degenerative shoulder condition. Last year’s starting left guard, Colin Tanigawa, will be in camp, but he’s coming off November surgery for a torn ACL. Plus, the Huskies will have to find two tackles. Micah Hatchie and Ben Riva are probably the favorites to start at the tackles, but don’t be surprised if an incoming freshman such as Jake Eldrenkamp earns some serious playing time.
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